The Vents

Z34 hood vents installed

Bought some Chevy Z34 hood vents off E-bay for $40 and after a ton of trying every angle possible to get them not to break up the underhood bracking and miss the curves in the raised part of the hood I got them installed. (measured 20 times cut once)

Lucy Hits The Road

With the exhaust system on and the motor running and idling she hit the road. It is far from being done but she is on the road. I need to log some miles to break it in and then go for a good computer tuning. I'm still going to be busy with dozens of little details to make it better but the big moment of driving it has come. whooppee!!!!!!!!1

Mufflers going on

Well the car is at the muffler shop getting the corvette exhaust system put on. Can't wait to drive it around and break in the motor.

My Hero (Kaye)

Well after putting in the power steering pump and getting the fluid topped off it would jerk around the steering wheel badly. I thought maybe low fluid or air in the system but it didn't help. I was frustrated to say the least. Telling my wife about it she said maybe somethings connected wrong or something. Well I went to my computer and researched my photos from the original teardown and guess what? I had a line switched and that made my wife the hero of the day for me. JUST DON'T TELL ANYBODY!

Power Steering repair

Well after the trans came back and I got the good news that it was in A1 condition inside, I installed it again.... Now to tackle the Power Steering hose problem. The AN fittings I was using are not strong enough to take the pressure of the steering pump(3000 lbs) so I went to have one made for it today and was surprised to find the guy goes to my church. He made it in 15 minutes and I was back at the house to put the rack and pump back on. The rack took awhile as I had to do the alignment at the same time to get the steering wheel straight. So the pump sill go on tomorrow.

Transmission back out for repair

Well after filling the differential with fluid and then the trans, I found that the trans had a leak where the tailshaft bolts up to the main body. Never would have guess that but she had to come out and that's not any fun! So, off to the shop for gaskets and I figured while it's there get a full inspection of the internals. The mechanic said it looks like new inside and very low miles, so no rebuild needed. Gaskets won't be in until Monday so I'll have to wait.

I decided to get the front end aligned as close as possible while the trans is gone and I didn't like how that turned out. After taking the rack and pinion off several times to get the steering wheel centered and tires straight it sure seems like the subframe mounts for the rack are off to one side a half inch or more. I had to tighten one tie rod end up all the way and adjust the other to get it set. It's been a rough week as far as car progress goes. The enemy sure likes to find a weak spot and camp on it. This to shall pass!

I ordered a Diablo Program Tuner for the engine and it will be in next week.

Bumbed out today

The car was looking so good and having had it run was awesome. But the electrical was not right and after getting what seemed to be the best way to hook it up, turned out would not start the car. THEN there is a little issue of trans fluid on the floor. YES the trans is leaking and must be back pulled out. Not a happy camper!!!

Starting to look like the old car again

Well the short list is getting really short. The adjustable coilover shocks on the left side went on today and so I had to put the tires on for looks. Brake calipers, and new rotors for the front got mounted. All my electrical connections for startup are done but I had a blown fuse so it will be put off until tomorrow. Still have electrical questions on the table and I'm hoping I have most of them right. We'll see! Need prayers please!

Hoses and other stuff

The Power Steering tank was going to be a clearance issue so I relocated it to the fender and it turned out well. I have the upper radiator hose on and used a chrome one as it shows and mostly because it can take the S curve needed to make it fit. The lower one I found on the back wall of Bennett Auto Supply and after moving the swaybar down with some spacers it fits great. The heater hoses make there way all around the engine bay to the far side where they go through the firewall. Again I had to hunt through the supply store to find ones I could make work with a little cutting and connecting. Still waiting on the new throttle body and the shock parts but they should be here this week. Then the wiring challenge! Urgh!!!

Kaye did some sewing for me as the shifter boot over the new Hurst 6 speed needed a little altering and she did a great job on that.

Hood clearance issues

Well I got the front bumper installed and the new grill in place. I put the axles in and they were alot easier than I expected to setup.

The shocks came with the upper portion needing the original parts to install them-but-I had thrown the old ones out to make space months ago and now I'll need to go to Miata and order the replacement pieces. Oh well who knew!

Kaye gave me a hand to set the hood on and as I thought might happen I have some clearance issues to solve. The Ly6 throttle body is taller than a corvette style so I've order a replacement one and the P/S tank is to tall also. It's close but that what building a hot rod is all about. Being on an adventure in design.

LS Accessories bolted on

Today it seemed like the adjustments went well and the only hitch is the new GM A/C unit will not fit in this space. I have the Miata unit so I'll have to make a bracket later on and use it. The radiator needed a little cut also the belt was touching the side wall at the alternator, so I was lucky that it could be knotched to fit.

The gauge cluster came out pretty easy after finding someone that posted his experience doing it on the net. Love that internet for info.

With the air intake on it looks pretty awesome. I'm working on a forced air ducting from the former roadlight hole in the bumper and up into the engine compartment where the filter sits.

Motor and Trans mated back up

Well it feels good to have the problems taken care of and the engine and trans all mated up and the trans mount secured. I put the driveshaft in to make sure it was a fit and it's great.
The new bellhousing came from Arizona and only 2 dealerships had one. They quick shipped it for me and don't charge anything to do it. The shocks are scheduled to be here Monday and that pretty much does it for big parts stuff. Look at that new Hurst short throw shifter and I can't wait to put it in the console.
Happy 4th of July tomorrow

Problems to solve

Well after getting the engine in and checking her over i found a few clearance issues that were not acceptable. The rear corners of the block ar much to tight to the firewall and could cause a serious vibration during operation. The passenger header was up against the subframe and the collector could use a dent to give it more room. I also had an issue with the quick disconnect on the trans that required me to pull the trans back to make right. Well, in the process of doing the trans removal I cracked the bellhousing. OUCH!

So with a Mission trip to Nicaragua coming up on the 19th, I decided to let it sit and start the pullout and repair process when i got back. Igot sick when we returned and had to let this fever get under control before really geting back to the car.

I've cut all my wire ties that would restrick the motor being pulled up and forward and disconnected the others, like the exhaust maniflods etc. Don't really care for going backwards on this build but it will be a better car when these issues are fixed. Back to hooking up the lift and getting the motor mounts bolt out so it can go up and forward for the clearance work on the firewall I need.

Lucy gets her engine today!

Well this has been the day I've been looking forward to for months now. The crew is coming over and were giving Lucy a transplant.

It was not a drop in affair as it would take two hours and alot of adjustments but she finally went into the motor mounts and the bolts through. Baby its tight on that firewall but after she finally got located it gave me an inch to spare in the back.

Now the next big day will be when she burps for the first time.

Thank you Jesus as I was praying nobody got hurt today!